Wooden outlet-box frame



y Sept. 4, 192s. E. L. SCRANTON WOODEN OUTLET BOX FRAME Filed Feb. 20, 1925 INV ENTO R EL Soran Zon BY mm2 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 4, i928.

narran ELS woonaiv oUrLE'rfBoX Application filed .February 2Q, w26, Serial No. 89,535.-

This invention relates to improvements in devices for holding the electrical outlet-boxes in place in wooden frame buildings. The holding means at present used are metal frames of various forms, so constructed that an outlet-box is limited in the position it may occupy relative to the studding of the building; and what is a bigger detriment, necessitates the lathers taking considerable time and eort to fit the lath to and around these frames.

The principal object of my invention therefore is to provide a wooden frame for holding an outlet-box so constructed that said box may be located at any position relative to the studding, and the frame may be easily cut by the electrician mounting the same, so that the ends partly overlap adjacent studs, to which said framel is secured by means of ordinary nails. This enables the lath when applied to the studding to be abutted against adjacent ends of the frame without any particular iitting or matching operations having to be done.

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple and inexpensive device and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which itis designed.V

These objects l accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of.

parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

ln the drawings similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Fig. l is a perspective View of my improved frame.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same as applied to the studding.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the numeral l denotes the frame, a flat rectangular and preferably rough surfaced board having the thickness of an ordinary lath, the

' height of about three laths plus the normal spacing therebetween, and a length approximately equal to the distance between three adjacent studs. While the above dimensions are given as being typical of the normal size of the frame, such dimensions in various respects may of course be altered without departing from the invention.

Centrally of its length the board is provided with a central orice 2 of a size suitable to receive an outletboX of any standard form, the box being secured to the frame by @wing to the length of the frame beyond said orifice on both sides thereof, the frame will always project over both studs. frame is then cut off at its ends to only vpartially overlap said studs, so that the strips 3 will rest against the studs and may be secured thereto by ordinary nails 5. This permits the lath 6 when applied to also rest against the studs and to be secured thereto inV the usual manner without any special shaping or fitting to accommodate it to the frame being necessary.

Although l have specified the frame as being of wood, it may be made of plaster board such as is now frequently used instead of lath, or anyother suitable and readily cut material. y

From the foregoingY description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not forma departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. y

Having thus describedmy invention `what I claim as new and useful' and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An outlet box frame for application to a frame building having spaced studs to receive lath-strips; comprising a flat board whose thickness is substantially that of a lath, said board having an opening cut therethrough intermediate its ends to receive an outlet box, and being slit longitudinally from its ends toward the opening, said slits forming strips whose width is substantially the same as that of lath strips and whose The spacing is substantially equal to thatl of mediate its ends to receive an outlet box and being slit longitudinally from its end toward the opening, to form plaster locks, the length of the board on each side of the opening being approximately equal to the distance between studs adjacent which the board Will be mounted.

3. An outletrboX frame for application to ramebuilding having spaced studs comprising a `flat element to l'it across and be secured to the studs, the element being of a fibrous material Which may be readily severed with Wood-Working tools Within the plane of the frontedge of a stud when the element is in place thereon, the element having an opening intermediateV its ends to receive the outlet box and having plaster locks in its face between the opening and the end of the element.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature EUGENE L. SCRANTON. 

